Waterfall Staff enjoys 4th of July picnic!

Steve’s View: It All Starts This June!!

“Strong returns of our King Salmon are expected this year in part due to the success of the hatchery program in our local waters,” stated Scott McKelvey, Waterfall’s Operations Manager and POWHA* Board Member.

And for Waterfall, that “strong return” begins Opening Day, June 11th, with the Kick-off for the $100,000 King of Kings Salmon Tournament; and the King Salmon Jackpot Challenge, June 11-14. June may be the traditional month for weddings and honeymoons, but it’s also the perfect month to bring Dads and Grads to Waterfall to catch Kings, create memories, and celebrate special occasions! Multi-generational families love to book anytime during the summer, but most especially near the end of June and into early July to participate in Waterfall’s 4th of July Festivities and Games!

Why Waterfall? Areas of bait have been spotted moving into the waters off the west coast of Prince of Wales Island where they should stay and grow in size and population. These same waters were the reason that Waterfall Cannery began its salmon canning operation here nearly 100 years ago and why it was transformed into Waterfall Resort nearly 70 years later. Our history is what makes us so unique among all the other Alaska lodges. Experience the Waterfall Difference!

*Prince of Wales Hatchery Association

Contact Mike Dooley at: 800-544-5125 or wfreservations@kpunet.net and ask about our mid-June specials!

Guests often ask what life is like at Waterfall during the winter season. Since most of our crew resides outside of Alaska during those months, I posed that question to Glenn “Babe” and Wanda Wilks who have lived at Waterfall year ‘round for the past four years. I posed the same question to Scott McKelvey, Operations Manager and Alex Heiser, Maintenance Foreman.

When the season ends in late August, Wanda transitions from her float position during the summer months to keeping up with all the incredible photo ops nature provides. She uses the wintertime to organize and assemble the myriad historical photos and documents for Waterfall Cannery and Resort into a photo album. Once completed, this album will be available for viewing in the lobby. Babe continues with a demanding schedule of maintenance, repairs, new construction and other necessary requirements to preserve the property. In a typical year, about 5-7 employees remain at the Resort to work on construction projects.

Operations Manager, Scott McKelvey, is another winter resident at the Resort who enjoys photography, fishing, hunting and the peace and quiet at this time of year. Scott keeps busy with recruiting new staff for the upcoming season, communicating with vendors and guests, renewing ADFG, USCG and FCC permits as necessary and attends the Hatchery Board Members Meetings. During the off-season, you may find Scott targeting Yellowfin Tuna out of San Diego, flyfishing for Redfish out of Texas, and vacationing to warm tropical atmospheres!

Alex Heiser, Maintenance Foreman, spends the winters upgrading and renovating parts of the Resort and readies the rooms for guests and crew for the upcoming season. Alex also is the go-to person for issues dealing with the computer or phone systems. He is certified by the State of Alaska to produce the Resort Drinking Water. Alex remains at the Resort for ten months every year. During his two months off time, Alex spends most of his time in Walla Walla, WA where his family and girlfriend live. While there, Alex takes care of the two homes he owns. He also enjoyed his time in years past with the Waterfall fishing team in Cabo.

As one might imagine, it gets VERY quiet after the guests and crew depart at the end of August. All of the buildings, with the exception of the General Store and the Wilks’ personal residence, are vacant. The store and lodge rooms are transformed into living quarters for the crew. The lobby becomes their living room with the addition of a big screen TV. A large dining table with chairs is placed near the windows in the General Store and the back office becomes the galley kitchen.

The Wilks photograph wildlife rarely seen during the summer months. Wanda says after the bears hibernate in November, other animals begin to show up. Most recently, a doe with her twins have been appearing on a daily basis. Although they are very careful not to feed the wildlife, they sometimes drop an occasional apple core in the snow just before the two fawns show up on their daily walk. From their living room window, the Wilks watch the nine-member otter family slip and slide in front of the General Store. Last year, after a heavy snowfall, Wanda heard a loud thumping sound outside her door. It was the otters that had created a bumpy slide on the steps between the guest kitchen and main boardwalk. Martens and Minks are also frequent visitors. They are not a welcome sight for the Wilks’ cats, Oreo and Neko.

One of the most phenomenal events that takes place during the winter season is the high tides. The waters cover the pilings around the Resort making it appear as though it were floating. It’s an eerie sight sitting at the table in the General Store during a high tide. The water level rises higher than the steps leading from the tidal area in front of the store to the boardwalk. If there is any wave action from boats or the winds, the waves overflow onto the boardwalk. The water is also extremely clear during this time and offers a fantastic view of the otter family swimming below.

Daily plane service becomes weekly service, weather permitting. It’s always a highlight (or disappointment) waiting for the grocery and mail delivery.

Winter at Waterfall may be slower, at times even peaceful, but it is not short on maintenance, preparations for the next season, and Mother Nature at her finest.

Staff Winner: Sunset at Waterfall. Photo by Whit Micek, Processing Supervisor.

Winner: Nature & Wildlife Category. Grabbing lunch. Photo by Charles Leiter.

Winner: Resort Category. Misty Driftwood. Photo by Akira Watanabe.

Congratulations to the 2009 Guest and Staff Photo contest winners. We look forward each season to the submissions by guests and staff and enjoy seeing Waterfall through their eyes. It’s always exciting to receive a new interpretation or angle of a favorite subject. Be sure to enter your photos next year. You might win the $150 Gift Certificate to our On-line General Store!

Winner: Fish Category. Two-for-one Lingcod. Photo by Lyle Moody.

2010 is gearing up to be a terrific season for sport fishing in Alaska. From excellent forecasted returns on Salmon, to the building “El Nino” conditions that are happening right now, anglers should expect to find some of the best fishing that we’ve seen in years! The Waterfall winter-watch staff already has seen areas of bait moving into the waters off the west coast of Prince of Wales Island where they should continue to stay and grow in size and population.

For the past few seasons, the biologists at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have forecasted that 2010 will have a strong return on King Salmon. Combined with the successful annual POWHA (Prince of Wales Hatchery Association) King Salmon Hatchery  Program, and the continued increase of new fish from the hatchery into the waters around Waterfall and to fishing hotspots such as Pineapple, Granite Point and Rockpile, the 2010 season should make for some really memorable stories and fishing adventures. Whether this will be your first King, or your hundredth … if you’re looking for that “King of a lifetime” … these opportunities are waiting for you this season at Waterfall Resort.

Last season, we experienced an outstanding year on Coho (Silver) Salmon. Ocean conditions, bait fish and the amount of baitfish point to another exceptional run this season. For those who like a lot of constant action, Coho Salmon will be right up your alley! From the thrill of their acrobatic fight, to looking down and watching multiple high-energy Salmon chasing your bait up will send a chill down your spine.
For the past few years, POWHA has produced and released more Coho than any other hatchery in the state of Alaska. Yearly, they have been taking 5,000,000 eggs to be incubated and raised in their ponds. Approximately, 18 months later, close to 4,250,000 Smolt (baby Salmon) are released into the wild to continue their lifecycle. By releasing this many Smolt, the numbers of returning, mature, hatchery Coho to our local waters are in the neighborhood of 350,000! There is no scientific information on what the return levels for King Salmon will be for this upcoming year. However, based on Coho return ratios, everyone is hoping for an extra 9,500 Chinook Salmon to be swimming near Waterfall in June.

As I mentioned earlier, and I’m sure many of you are aware, the entire west coast of the United States is starting to experience an “El Nino” condition. Traditionally, what this brings is warmer weather to our area. We are presently experiencing a very mild winter at the Resort and believe this should continue throughout the year. If this remains true, this will make fishing conditions extremely pleasant. Imagine days on a flat ocean targeting large Halibut, Lingcod, and Red Snapper. It can all be a reality this season!

If you have ever dreamed of coming to Alaska to go fishing, or just want an opportunity to have a “trip of a lifetime,” this is your year to come fish Waterfall Resort. Where this season, dreams can become a reality!

Scott McKelvey, Operations Manager

Waterfall Resort on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Countdown to Waterfall 2010!

Welcome to the New Year! Snow and rain may be in the national headlines, but it is the perfect time to think about summer and start the countdown to our 2010 season! During June, July and August, Waterfall has set aside special dates and rates for your sportfishing adventure itinerary. These inclusive vacation packages are ideal for multi-generational family getaways and reunions; or as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, business associates, graduation or Father’s Day. Fishing at Waterfall always creates such wonderful bonding experiences that guests often return with family and friends more than once each season.

Select from these dates and Waterfall will help you create memories
of a lifetime! Let the Adventure Begin!

Click for more information, other packages or to check availability, go to:
http://www.waterfallresort.com/rates-packages or call Mike Dooley at
800-544-5125.

Bob Misetich with his 31.3 lb. KOD! 7/2/09.

To All Owners and Employees of the Legendary Waterfall Resort,

I finally got a minute out of my busy schedule to sit down and reflect on a wonderful experience that I had in 2009. Good friend Kent Jones, based on his previous experience at the Resort, recommended this trip. After looking at his pictures, I agreed, “Let’s do it!” After searching for another avid angler, we found good friend and “adventurist” John Hoskins. The trip went into the planning stages. Kent took the “Bull by the Horns,” that’s just his style. For the longest time, maybe the next 10 months, John assured us we were going. I thought to myself, yeah right, I’ll believe it when I see it. Being that we all work in the Motion Picture Business, the only thing I have learned after 30 years is that plans were meant to be broken. Then Lo and Behold, we finished Transformers 2 and we had some time off. Suddenly I thought this could happen after all. That’s when I started checking out Waterfall’s website, and started getting excited.

We flew up at the end of June to Ketchikan and took that wonderful floatplane ride out of Promech Air to the Resort. That’s something I will never forget (been wanting to do that for the last 40 years)! We got off the floatplane and were greeted by Steve Cockrell and his wonderful staff. It was then that I looked up and spotted the huge banner on the side of the building advertising the Grand Prize – a “New Ford Truck.” I thought to myself, “Man, that would be nice since my truck had just turned 200,000 miles.” The wonderful staff in the office checked us in, and sent us on our way to meet our Guide, Devin, what a pleasure. Four and a half days of great fishing yielded us limits every day, 2-30 lb. King Salmon Patches, 1– 40 lb. King Salmon Patch, 1–150 lb. Halibut Patch and 2-King of the Day Hats for Kent and me.
After having spent a great 4th of July at the Resort (great fireworks show I must add!), it was our time to leave on July 5th, each of us with 100 lbs. of fish to take home. As Justin loaded our fish onto the floatplane, I glanced over my shoulder once again at the huge banner advertising the “New Ford Truck.” I knew now that I was in the running because I was one of 72 Kings of the Day!

So I go home and start enjoying the fish we caught (Man, is it good!! Like no other! Friends and family think I’m a hero.) Meanwhile I’m thinking: “I should start looking for a new truck…the puddle of oil underneath is getting bigger…there are a few noises I have never heard before…maybe I’ll wait until they draw the winner of the “New Ford Truck.” Sure enough, Steve called August 25th to inform me that I was the “Grand Prize Winner!” It is a great story, and one that I wanted to share with all. Thanks for a 1st Class Fishing Expedition at your World Class Resort!

Thank you from one Happy Angler,
Bob Misetich
Acton, CA
11/23/09

P.S. Special Thanks: Steve, Chuck, Devin, Ron, Stuart, Stacy, Kent, John and all of you at the resort.
Hope to see you this summer so we can celebrate!

Reza Fatemi (left) Galpin Ford, North Hills, CA, congratulates Bob Misetich!

Colleen Cockrell, Hospitality Supervisor

Recently, I was looking at some of our historical Waterfall photos and came across this one of the General Store during the Waterfall Cannery Days. Looking at those items in the photo made me realize how different our store is today. During the Cannery days, our store was primarily the place where the workers bought necessary and very utilitarian supplies. Food, basic clothing, medicine and whatever was needed for the working summer at the Cannery were available. There were no designer labels or logos on the shelves. How different our current store is! Today, our store is stocked with necessities, logos and fun items for guests, their family and friends. A few weeks ago, I was reminded that our guests enjoy the Resort merchandise so much, they often call us to reorder a favorite item.
I received a call from Rodney, a former guest, now living in Florida. He wanted to replace his worn out, red hooded Waterfall rain jacket so he would have something warm to wear on his return trip to Waterfall in 2010. Rodney said, “You know, that red one with the hood you sell?” I told him we didn’t have one with that description in our inventory, then asked him how long it had been since he had visited Waterfall. Rodney said, “I was there in 2001. I guess that was a long time ago! I can’t wait to come back, bring my son and maybe even a small group with me!” To help Rodney with his request, we emailed him some pictures of our two best selling jackets and some tee shirts. Rodney responded by purchasing not one, but two jackets and a tee shirt!

We often get requests from individuals like Rodney who have special memories of their trip to Waterfall from previous years. Ordering a piece of clothing or bit of Waterfall memorabilia seems to add to the excitement of another upcoming fishing adventure. Group leaders and corporate officials also call in with requests to purchase gifts for friends and co-workers. Often times, it’s as simple as asking us to put a nice bottle of wine in a guest’s room with a welcoming message or purchasing a Gift Certificate to be used in the General Store during their stay. Other requests are for merchandise sent from the Store to a guest prior to their arrival, a prepaid massage or a “special order” in the form of a jacket or hat for an entire group to be distributed to the guest’s room upon arrival.

Other requests we receive are for specific types of liquor that might not be in stock in the Lagoon Saloon, or for specialty food items available for purchase during the guest’s stay. Whatever the occasion, the Store hosts can easily fulfill a request with some advance notice.

We want to hear from you. So, if you decide to surprise a guest, need ideas for your group, want to purchase a gift certificate or order an item for yourself, just send an email to colleen@waterfallresort.com or contact me directly at 360-450-8560.

Also, for your convenience, you may order on-line for logo merchandise, or favorite photos by our staff photographer. Go to: http://www.waterfallresort.com/store to see what’s new for 2010 at Waterfall’s on-line store!

General Store During the Cannery Days

Ingredients:
4 5-6oz. Ling cod skinned and dried on paper towel
½ Cup Cornmeal
½ Cup Flour
Salt & Pepper to taste
¼ Cup Canola oil

Assembly:
Dry ling cod on paper towel. Dredge ling cod in mixture of cornmeal, flour, salt & pepper. Preheat sauté pan over medium high. Add oil. Add ling cod and cook for 4-5 minutes a side.

Corn Relish:
Ingredients:
1 Cup thawed frozen corn or freshly cooked kernels. I like to place whole shucked corn directly on hot grill and roast it. Only turning when kernels are browned. Then, I let it cool and cut kernels off the cob. (This adds a great flavor).

1 Red pepper diced
1 Jalapeno pepper diced very small
1 Small red onion diced
½ Bunch cilantro (remove stems)
1 Tbl. Apple cider vinegar
1 Tsp. Honey
Salt & Pepper to taste

Assembly: Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.

Cilantro Lime Cream:
½ Cup sour cream
Juice from 2 limes
½ Bunch Cilantro
Salt & pepper to taste

Assembly: Combine all ingredients in food processor. Pulse for 1 minute.

Final Assembly: Plate and top with ¼ cup corn relish and then 1 oz. Cilantro lime cream on top of relish.

Wine Suggestion: Fume Blanc or Beaujolais

Chef Stu Campbell

A Beautiful Sight. Guest Dining Room.

Power House Behind Warehouse #2

Our Winter's Waterfall.

Winter Wonderland

 Guests often inquire about Waterfall in the winter.  Well, we don’t shut down, we just slow down.  We have a regular crew headed by Maintenance Supervisor Glen “Babe” Wilks.  Contractors for larger projects come in as needed.  The general store and main lodge are transformed into crew quarters and a kitchen.  As evidenced by these photos, Waterfall is truly a Winter Wonderland.

Frozen Waterfall Photo: By Jimmy Hunt.  Remaining  3 Photos:  By Glen “Babe” Wilks.  All 4 photos were taken during Christmas week 2008.